A new version of "Hawaii Five-O" is moving forward at CBS, with "Star Trek" and "Transformers" writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci teaming with Peter Lenkov ("CSI: NY") to reinvent the crime classic.
CBS Television Studios is behind the project, which started coming to life at the studio more than a year ago. Ed Bernero ("Criminal Minds") was originally recruited to oversee the project; that version of the remake didn’t come together.
But CBS TV Studios President David Stapf and his counterparts at CBS didn’t give up on the notion. Kurtzman, Orci and Lenkov came up with a new take on how to revive "Five-O" and pitched it to CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler today.
Tassler quickly said "book ’em," and gave the project a pilot commitment.
Kurtzman, Orci and Lenkov are developing the story for the pilot together, with Lenkov expected to write the script. The trio will be updating the original "Five-O," which was created by Leonard Freeman.
Remakes continue to be all the rage at the networks these days. NBC, for example, has a new version of "The Rockford Files" in the works.
CBS TV Studios already produces "90210" and "Melrose Place," which are based on previous series.
In addition to their movie career, Kurtzman and Orci are, along with J.J. Abrams, executive producers of Fox’s "Fringe." Kurtzman and Orci have some experience with big revivals: In addition to the "Trek" reboot, the duo wrote the Abrams-directed "Mission: Impossible III."
Lenkov serves as co-showrunner of "CSI: NY," along with Pam Veasey.
The "Five-O" project was packaged by CAA.
